Do police departments have to go through a Class 3 dealer when outfitting their special weapons team?

Eric Blair

August 22, 2000, 03:26 PM

They could purchase them directly from individuals, but why?

Remember, a manufacures SOT allows you to deal, so COLT/SW/Ruger/ETC could sell directly to depts.

Jeff Cox

August 22, 2000, 03:45 PM

Thanks Eric,
My local PD just purchased a couple of MP5SDs so I was curious.

James K

August 22, 2000, 08:43 PM

Most police departments now purchase directly from the manufacturer or through the manufacturer's representative.

Jim

Dead

August 24, 2000, 09:12 PM

Why would a PD need to have suppressed machineguns?

Dont want to be heard shooting around the town?

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Dead [Black Ops]

chetchat

August 24, 2000, 10:00 PM

Suppressed selective fire weapons are useful for sentry neutralization (dog, armed lookout who resists, etc.), plus if the area under assault is large, unsuppressed weapons fire will alert other potential felons who can flee or prepare resistance.

Additionally, there is reduced chance of hearing damage and vision impairment, especially when the weapon is discharged in a confined space.

I've seen suppressed 10 and 77/22s advertised as effective in taking out lights (porch, hallway, etc).

Nick

Jeff Cox

August 25, 2000, 05:28 PM

This PD recently had a SWAT member lose the hearing in his right ear shortly after entry due to the second man in the stack firing a burst over his shoulder to take out a charging pit bull. The entry man saw the dog out of the corner of his eye but he was assigned a different area of responsibility and he knew that his number 2 would neutralize the dog.

I would also think that a surpressed weapon would be useful in hazardous areas such as suspected meth labs.

Gingivitis

August 25, 2000, 10:47 PM

Also if an artificial environment suppressor (water filled) can reduce the muzzle blast/heat for the first burst if there are flammable materials in the area (I.E. Meth labs)

Virtually no Muzzle Flash and there are also legal considerations. For instance. If a shot is fired and then commands given, it may be sufficient defense for the perpetrator that he was deafened temporarily and his seeming unwillingness to respond to commands was justified. I'ver read studies that conclude most law-enforcement uses of firearms occur in low-light situations. I'd want a wide-field Red Dot scope AND a supperssor.